mental health issues during pregnancy

I have chronic depression and went off all my meds to get pregnant. I am lucky enough to have a very loving and supportive husband as well as great friends and family. But I'm having a very rough time. Anyone else in a similar situation?

I have chronic depression and went off all my meds to get pregnant. I am lucky enough to have a very loving and supportive husband as well as great friends and family. But I'm having a very rough time. Anyone else in a similar situation?

Though not the same as you, I'm interested in reading the comments on this thread. I had PPD after my #2 was born. I was on meds for almost 2 years. I've been off them for an equal amount of time. While I truly believe the meds helped me, I'm really glad I'm off of them and don't wish to go back on, but have this lingering fear in the back of my head that when #3 is born I'll find myself in a similar situation.

Though not the same as you, I'm interested in reading the comments on this thread. I had PPD after my #2 was born. I was on meds for almost 2 years. I've been off them for an equal amount of time. While I truly believe the meds helped me, I'm really glad I'm off of them and don't wish to go back on, but have this lingering fear in the back of my head that when #3 is born I'll find myself in a similar situation.

I have been taking wellbutrin for many years. My doc said it was best for me to stay on it. But I have definitely been having some troubles. Mood swings on steroids. Went to see him today and he suggested I stay on the meds, they will closely monitor me, and recommended I speak with someone who runs a support group for pregnant and post-partum women. I find it extra difficult right now because I have told only a couple people so I can't look to friends and family for support. But the ladies here have been great!

I have been taking wellbutrin for many years. My doc said it was best for me to stay on it. But I have definitely been having some troubles. Mood swings on steroids. Went to see him today and he suggested I stay on the meds, they will closely monitor me, and recommended I speak with someone who runs a support group for pregnant and post-partum women. I find it extra difficult right now because I have told only a couple people so I can't look to friends and family for support. But the ladies here have been great!

I had a very rough time with PPD after the birth of my first son. He is now 2.5 and I am still on Zoloft, but we are both thriving. I am pregnant (about 7 weeks along) with my second and will stay on my meds throughout the pregnancy. The benefit of me being in a good place is well worth the slight risk there is tho the fetus. Please, make sure to see your doctor/therapist/psychiatrist throughout your pregnancy. It is better for you and your baby both if you have your depression under control.

I had a very rough time with PPD after the birth of my first son. He is now 2.5 and I am still on Zoloft, but we are both thriving. I am pregnant (about 7 weeks along) with my second and will stay on my meds throughout the pregnancy. The benefit of me being in a good place is well worth the slight risk there is tho the fetus. Please, make sure to see your doctor/therapist/psychiatrist throughout your pregnancy. It is better for you and your baby both if you have your depression under control.

I have had mental health issues most of my life, and just started taking meds two years ago. My pregnancy was a total shock and surprise, and at first knocked me off of my feet, but man, 2 days later and I've been blissed out ever since! Definitely some crying fits, but apparently that's normal. I'm on celexa, and the doc says its more important that I am even and not anxious while pregnant, and so I'm staying on it (I'm on a very low dose). My doc will also make sure she's monitoring baby's progress, but I'm staying positive and hoping for the best. I actually tried lowering my dose without a new Rx, but my anxiety spiked and I'm just going to stick to the plan. Taking care of ourselves is the best way to have the happiest and healthy baby!

I have had mental health issues most of my life, and just started taking meds two years ago. My pregnancy was a total shock and surprise, and at first knocked me off of my feet, but man, 2 days later and I've been blissed out ever since! Definitely some crying fits, but apparently that's normal. I'm on celexa, and the doc says its more important that I am even and not anxious while pregnant, and so I'm staying on it (I'm on a very low dose). My doc will also make sure she's monitoring baby's progress, but I'm staying positive and hoping for the best. I actually tried lowering my dose without a new Rx, but my anxiety spiked and I'm just going to stick to the plan. Taking care of ourselves is the best way to have the happiest and healthy baby!

huh interesting. i was just so scared of harming the baby somehow - and everything I was on (lamictal, abilify, lexapro) was all category C. the doctor said i could take zoloft or wellbutrin but i was too scared. however this depression is really bad. it's getting in the way of my ability to function. maybe i should reconsider meds. anyway i'm just appreciative that there are other women out there who understand - thank you for replying to my post.

huh interesting. i was just so scared of harming the baby somehow - and everything I was on (lamictal, abilify, lexapro) was all category C. the doctor said i could take zoloft or wellbutrin but i was too scared. however this depression is really bad. it's getting in the way of my ability to function. maybe i should reconsider meds. anyway i'm just appreciative that there are other women out there who understand - thank you for replying to my post.

I'm on a very low dose of Zoloft. With my last baby I started it at the end of my first trimester & weaned off it in the last few weeks before my due date so baby wouldn't deal with withdrawals. I went right back on, the day he was born. Now I'm on almost nothing (25mg but weaning off for first trimester) and I'll go back up to 50 in the second trimester until just before delivery.

I'm on a very low dose of Zoloft. With my last baby I started it at the end of my first trimester & weaned off it in the last few weeks before my due date so baby wouldn't deal with withdrawals. I went right back on, the day he was born. Now I'm on almost nothing (25mg but weaning off for first trimester) and I'll go back up to 50 in the second trimester until just before delivery.

Don't suffer without the meds if they can help you! Stress isn't good for us either. I have had anxiety issues in the past, which were managed with meditation and relaxation exercises. I quit smoking when I found out I was pregnant and that makes me struggle with some anxiety. We will get by though.hang in there!

Don't suffer without the meds if they can help you! Stress isn't good for us either. I have had anxiety issues in the past, which were managed with meditation and relaxation exercises. I quit smoking when I found out I was pregnant and that makes me struggle with some anxiety. We will get by though.hang in there!

I have gone on and off medications for depression and anxiety. About a year ago I talked to my doctor about going off the medication because my husband and I were starting to talk about having a baby. She said that I could stay on them during pregnancy and the only affects to the baby that she knew of were that babies whose moms are on anti-depressants are often born with slower heart rates (which go up later after they're born). I didn't like the sound of that and, like other people have posted here, I was concerned about all the legal ads you hear on TV about birth defects. So, I made the decision that for me personally I felt it best to go off the meds.

Now I am pregnant and am told that I am considered a high risk pregnancy because my blood pressure is high due to my anxiety. I wonder whether I would have been better off staying on the meds. As a result of the blood pressure I can't have a midwife like I wanted. Now on top of my regular anxiety my hormones are causing ups and downs and I am freaked out because I feel like my birth plan is completely out of my hands and its not going to be at all the experience that I wanted. I'm concerned how the BP will affect my health and the safety of this pregnancy.

Wow, I'm glad to hear other people talking about this.

I have gone on and off medications for depression and anxiety. About a year ago I talked to my doctor about going off the medication because my husband and I were starting to talk about having a baby. She said that I could stay on them during pregnancy and the only affects to the baby that she knew of were that babies whose moms are on anti-depressants are often born with slower heart rates (which go up later after they're born). I didn't like the sound of that and, like other people have posted here, I was concerned about all the legal ads you hear on TV about birth defects. So, I made the decision that for me personally I felt it best to go off the meds.

Now I am pregnant and am told that I am considered a high risk pregnancy because my blood pressure is high due to my anxiety. I wonder whether I would have been better off staying on the meds. As a result of the blood pressure I can't have a midwife like I wanted. Now on top of my regular anxiety my hormones are causing ups and downs and I am freaked out because I feel like my birth plan is completely out of my hands and its not going to be at all the experience that I wanted. I'm concerned how the BP will affect my health and the safety of this pregnancy.

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